Shahrukh irks Kerala’s moral police; case filed

Kochi (Kerala), Dec 21: Little did Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan think that he would have to court controversy during his recent trip to God’s Own Country, Kerala. In the buzzing metropolitan district of Kochi, he was here to inaugurate a clothing chain of Emmanuel Silks after which he performed with 'scantily dressed' women artists at the Kaloor International Stadium that has now landed him in trouble.

The high octane performance has irked the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court who has now ordered the Palarivattom Police to register a case against Khan for 'dancing with cheer girls'. The case against him being, that he had violated the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

The order was passed by Magistrate A. Ijas based on the criminal miscellaneous petition filed by Mathew Saju Pulluvazhi of Perumbavoor in Kerala. The petitioner had argued that the actor had blatantly violated the act by performing with the cheerleaders. He stated that the publication or exhibition of any advertisement, which contains indecent representation of women in any form, is punishable calling for a jail term for up to two years and a fine for up to Rs 2000.

The court has ordered the Kochi police to also register a case against the managing partners of the firm, T. O. Byju and T. O. Shyju of Thrissur adding that the showroom owners also violated the norms as per the Act.

The petitioner argued that an indecent representation of women means the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman; her form or body or any part thereof in such way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to, or denigrating women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals.

It has to be remembered that a few days back another Bollywood actress Vidya Balan was also booked under the same act for her bold portrayal in the blockbuster movie, The Dirty Picture.